The Canyon County Board of County Commissioners would like to recognize and congratulate the Melba Valley Historical Society Board and volunteers for receiving the Heritage Stewardship award from Preservation Idaho for all their hard work on the Melba Valley Museum (310 Carrie Rex, Melba, Idaho).

Preservation Idaho (PI), established in 1972 by concerned residents within the community, is dedicated to protecting Idaho’s historic landmarks through collaboration, education, and advocacy. With the rapid disappearance of historical sites caused by ongoing development and population growth, PI works to preserve historical and cultural assets, advocate for the adaptive reuse of historic structures, and educate the public on the significance of Idaho’s heritage and history.

One of its key events, the Orchids and Onions Awards, recognizes noteworthy contributions to historic preservation and highlights projects that show Idaho’s cultural history. This year, the Melba Valley Historical Society was acknowledged for its dedication to preserving the Melba Valley Museum building. The Melba Valley Historical Society has completed numerous restoration and preservation projects to uphold the building’s historic integrity and functionality.  Since Melba Valley Historical Society’s establishment in 2013, they have dedicated themselves to raising funds and pursuing grants. The Canyon County Board of County Commissioners are proud to say that through Canyon County’s unique Historic Preservation Grant program, over $110,000 has been contributed to the ongoing preservation of the Museum building.

Melba Valley Historical Society’s hard work led to the building being listed in the National Register of Historic Places in January 2024. Thus, making it Canyon County’s newest National Register site. The museum houses a wide selection of local historical artifacts such as yearbooks, military uniforms, household items, and records from the I.O.O.F. Lodge #150 and Rebekah Lodge #105. The Melba Valley Historical Society’s dedication to preserving Melba’s historical essence adds great value to the community and ensures its unique heritage is preserved for future generations.

The museum is open Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., May through October, and is located at 310 Carrie Rex (next to the Melba Post Office).